My current car seat should have lasted until my son was 4, but it only lasted until he was 3. My son was uncomfortable and told me that he was getting too big for his seat. As soon as the Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat was delivered, my son was keen to open it up to take a look. I was a bit concerned that the backrest came apart from the seat so easily but once my son sat in it and told me he liked it, I knew we were off to a good start.
What we love
Kiddicare sell the Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat for a very budget-conscious £44.99. Considering how long it will last, that’s excellent value.
According to the instructions, the Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat will fit in most vehicles with a 3-point seat belt, and indeed it was very easy to fit in my car. The installation instructions are very easy to follow.
The head support is height adjustable and the 5-point safety harness (for use with younger children) can be set to three heights. There’s also an adjuster and strap under the front of the seat for loosening and tightening the harness. From around 3 years, you can remove the safety harness and secure your child with the car’s regular seat belts. The harness and backrest is then removed when you want to use the Opus as a booster.
Safety-wise, there’s side impact protection, with padded head support and armrests. There’s also a body and harness pad, so your child feels comfortable.
The Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat is really easy to use – my son can jump in it by himself and all I need to do is strap him in.
The seat comes in two designs - Granite or Emo Black - and the cover can be removed and hand washed, which is perfect for caked-on snacks and spillages!
What to watch out for
The Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat doesn’t recline, so it’s not ideal for long journeys or if your child fancies a snooze. It’s also quite hard and not as padded or comfortable as other (more expensive) car seats on the market. I think it’s more suited as a second car seat for grandparents or the childminder to use - I’m not totally convinced of its long-term use.
The backrest is quite high, so you need to remove your car’s headrest to ensure that it’s properly secure.
The straps are easily twisted and the padding on the harness is very basic, so my son often complains that it’s digging into him.
Although the Opus is suitable for babies from 9kg, I wouldn’t use this car seat with a baby because I don’t think it offers enough support. It’s fine for a toddler, but I think it may be worth spending a bit more if after an option to use as your main car seat.
Who is the Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat best for?
Grandparents who want a sturdy and cheap option on standby.
The Baby Weavers Opus Car Seat offers a simple design, is easy to install, has basic safety features and a price that’s hard to beat. However, it doesn’t recline, so isn’t ideal for babies, long journeys or for kids who like to snooze in the car. It’s probably best suited to those after a second car seat for occasional use or for transferring between vehicles.
